With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 m in the east and networked by forty four rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. The State of Kerala was formed by the amalgamation of three regions: the Kingdom of Thiruvithamcoore (Travancore), the Kingdom of Kochi (Cochin), and the Province of Malabar. Thiruvithaamcoore and Kochi, former princely states, were merged to form Thiru-Kochi on July 1, 1949. Malabar was merged with Thiru-Kochi to form the State of Kerala on November 1, 1956, based on the recommendations of the State Reorganisation Commission set up by the Government of India.

Kerala is a popular tourist destination for both domestic and foreign travellers. Among the tourist attractions are great beaches (Kovalam and Varkala), serene hill stations (Ponmudi and Munnar), wildlife sanctuaries (Periyar and Eravikulam) and beautiful Kerala Backwaters (Kumarakom and Punnamada), as also the marvel of kerala building art revealed through Padmanabhapuram Palace, Padmanabhapuram. The tourism department of the state calls the state as God's Own Country. National Geographic Society described Kerala as one of the 50 must-see destinations of a lifetime. Kochi, the commercial capital of the state is known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. Alapuzha, the first planned town in Kerala is called the Venice of the East. Tourism plays an important role in the state's economy.

Adventure in Kerala :

Backwater Biking & Canoeing
Bird Tours
Forest & Wildlife Photography Tours
Hiking & Biking
Trekking & Camping
Water Sports
Wildlife Tours

Art & Culture of Kerala :
» Classical Arts of Kerala

Bharata Natyam
Chakyarkoothu
Kathakali
Mohiniyattam

» Folk Arts of Kerala

Kalampattu
Kalaripayattu
Kaliyoottu
Kanniyarkali
Kavadiyattam
Kolkali
Thiruvathirakali
Velakali

Backwaters of Kerala :

Alleppey Backwaters
Kochi Backwaters
Kollam Backwaters
Kumarakom Backwaters
Trivandrum Backwaters

Fairs & Festivals in Kerala :

Aranmula Vallamkali
Champakulam Boat Race
Christmas
Deepavali
Indira Gandhi Boat Race
Makaravilakku
Maramom Convention
Nehru Trophy Boat Race
Onam
Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race
Thrissur Pooram

Hill Stations in Kerala :

Chembra Peak
Chithirapuram
Devikulam
Idukki
Lakkidi
Mattupetty
Munnar
Nellyampathy
Peruvannamuzhi
Ponmudi
Pythal Mala
Vythiri
Wagamon

Kerala Ayurveda :

Abhyangam
Dhanyamla Dhara
Dhara
Kativasthi
Kizhi
Ksheeradhoomam
Lepanam
Nasyam
Njavarakizhi
Pizhichil
Sirovasthi
Snehapanam
Thalam
Udvarthanam
Urovasthi
Vasthi
Yoni Prakshalanam

Festivals of Kerala:

The Great Elephant March
Mahashivratri
Malayattur feast
Chandanakuda Mahotsavam
Trissur Pooram
Edapally Perunal
Aranmula Boat Pageant
Shri Padmanabhaswamy utsav
Shri Poornathrayeesa Temple utsav
Christmas
Cochin Carnival
Nehru Cup Snake Boat race
Onam

India Travel Destination Guide

Getting Around & Visiting Rajasthan

Getting around the state is rarely problematic, though there's no avoiding some tedious long hauls. The state-run bus company, RSTDC, has regular services between cities, but since it hiked its prices by fifty percent in 1997, private operators have become a more popular option, offering cheaper fares and greater comfort.

Safety & Security

Rajasthan is a peaceful state and its people are friendly and well meaning. This piece of an advice is meant to caution but you should not be paranoid otherwise you miss knowing about the very vibrant people and culture of Rajasthan. Like anywhere else, reasonable caution is your best weapon

Bargaining in India

Don't worry too much about the first quoted prices. Some guidebooks suggest paying a third of the opening price, but it's a flexible guideline depending on the shop, the goods and the shopkeeper's impression of you. Bargaining is very much a matter of personal style, but should always be lighthearted,

Katchal: Nicobar

Katchal is a tiny island in the Nicobar group. It was this island, which heralded the new millennium with the first sunrise on 1st January 2000. This island has beautiful beaches at East bay, Jhula and West bay. The island of Katchal is one of the 572 islands, islets and

Time Zone in India

India is all in one time zone: GMT+5hr 30min. This makes it 5hr 30min ahead of London, 1Ohr 30min ahead of New York, 13hr 30min ahead of LA, 4hr 30min behind Sydney and 6hr 30min behind NZ; however, summer time in those places will vary the difference by an hour.

Metalware and jewellery in India

The south is one major area for metalware in India (dancing Shivas, : known as Nataraj, are a favourite here -check out the quality in the palace art gallery ! at Thanjavur), the Himalayas another, Dokra, j a speciality of West Bengal and Orissa, uses this very same lost-wax technique

Radhnagar Beach

Radhanagar Beaches in Havelock are pristine, unspoilt beaches and will appeal to every beach enthusiast and nature lover who want to enjoy his beach holiday at a pristine loc. A 5 hour-long journey by boat from Phoenix Bay Jetty, Port Blair brings you to Havelock Island — "The island campers

Corbyn's Cove and Chirya Tapu

One of the most picturesque sea-beaches, it is ideal for sea bathing and sun-basking. This scenic sea beach is ideal for sunbathing and swimming. The Waves Restaurant, the Peerless Resort nearby and the Hornbill Nest Guest House at a stone's throw, provide a kaleidoscopic view of the blue waterfront.

Paintings and antiques in India

Most Tibetan thangkas (Buddhist religious paintings mounted on brocaded silk) are mass produced (usually in Nepal) and mod¬ern, whatever the seller says, but even the cheapest boast the dense Buddhist symbol¬ism inherent in the form. You'll find them in the north, where there are Tibetan commu¬nities, and a little investigation